When most people think of the war in Ukraine, they picture tanks, rubble, and politicians arguing over aid.
But one Utah businessman has taken a different route – not through Washington, but straight to the people suffering most.
This is not Trump. Not even Musk.
This is pure, selfless and sincere ❤️Meet Dell Loy Hansen.
An American millionaire and true philanthropistHe built an entire town for displaced Ukrainians.
Now more than 229 families — over 1,000 people — live there!He bought 250+… pic.twitter.com/l7c6fppgoj
— Olena Rohoza (@OlenaRohoza) September 16, 2025
Dell Loy Hansen, a 72-year-old real estate developer and founder of the Wasatch Group, has quietly become one of the biggest private supporters of Ukraine’s recovery since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Through his Hansen Ukrainian Mission (HUM), Hansen has committed more than $140 million in personal donations, working with local officials and nonprofit partners to rebuild communities.
Building Homes, Not Headlines
Hansen’s work started after visiting Ukraine early in the war. What he saw moved him so deeply that he decided to take action.
Instead of just writing checks, he started building real places for displaced Ukrainians to live.
His flagship project, Hansen Village, sits just south of Kyiv in the town of Tarasivka.
It’s now home to about 2,000 people – mostly elderly residents, veterans, widows, orphans, and families who lost everything when Russia invaded.
The village is more than a collection of shelters.
It’s a small community with modular homes, a school, a clinic, a swimming pool, and even basketball courts.
The idea is simple: give people not just a roof, but a sense of normal life again.
In a country where about 13% of all housing has been destroyed and millions have been displaced, that’s no small feat.
Faith, Freedom, and Self-Reliance
What drives Hansen isn’t politics – it’s faith and a belief in self-reliance.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he says philanthropy is about “planting seeds” that help people stand on their own feet again.
That message rings true for conservatives who believe in private charity over government handouts.
Hansen’s work shows what can happen when successful Americans take initiative without waiting for Congress to act.
Results That Put Bureaucrats to Shame
Hansen’s mission has already launched more than a dozen community projects across Ukraine and plans to expand to 20.
That includes senior housing like Senior Chudo Village, which now cares for nearly 400 mobility-impaired elderly residents.
Plans are underway for more schools, prosthetic clinics, and a hospital for wounded soldiers.
And while the U.S. government often spends billions on aid that never seems to reach the ground, Hansen’s private model has built hundreds of homes so far, with a goal of delivering around 600 modular homes during 2023 and 2024.
Even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken notice.
He toured Hansen Village, thanked Hansen publicly, and in 2023 the developer was honored as Ukraine’s Philanthropist of the Year.
U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink also attended the ribbon-cutting for Senior Chudo Village in 2024, calling it an example of true partnership between nations.
A Conservative Example of American Leadership
From a conservative point of view, this story checks every box: personal responsibility, free enterprise, and compassion rooted in faith.
It’s proof that private citizens can achieve more, faster, and cheaper than bloated government programs.
Hansen built his fortune after starting small in the 1980s, going broke during the savings-and-loan crisis, then rebuilding from scratch.
That bootstrap story mirrors the kind of resilience he’s now helping Ukrainians find for themselves.
Critics might say the U.S. has already done enough for Ukraine, but Hansen’s model offers a different lesson – you don’t need Washington to do good.
When private citizens lead, they inspire others and stretch every dollar further.
When the West Leads, Washington Follows
While Hansen’s home base is Utah, he has business ties in Nevada, where business registries list multiple Wasatch-linked entities.
His company’s interest in Nevada’s fast-growing housing market fits with the same entrepreneurial drive fueling his Ukraine projects.
The western values shared between Utah and Nevada – independence, faith, and neighborly responsibility – reflect the same spirit that guides Hansen’s work abroad.
Doing Good – Without Government Strings Attached
In an age where too many Americans are cynical about business leaders, Dell Loy Hansen’s story stands out.
He’s not chasing headlines or political power.
He’s using his blessings to lift others up – privately, efficiently, and from the heart.
That’s not just charity. That’s the best of American conservatism in action – faith meeting freedom, one home at a time.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
